“We could withdraw the bill and let’s just put another bill out there that says we’re going to have recreational marijuana.”
By Sam Stockard, Tennessee Lookout
Despite warnings that the hemp trade could be decimated, the House Judiciary Committee handed a measure Wednesday that may put stricter laws in place.
Sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R) of Portland, House Bill 1376 would place the trade beneath the Alcoholic Beverage Commission as a substitute of the Department of Agriculture and take away merchandise from comfort and grocery shops. Only vape and liquor shops could be allowed to promote some hemp merchandise.
The House invoice is ready to be heard subsequent within the Commerce Committee, the place agreements with the trade may very well be reached.
“It does ban [derivatives] THCA and THCP. The reason for that is we have not legalized marijuana in this state,” Lamberth mentioned.
Hemp is distinguished from marijuana in that it comprises a compound referred to as delta-9 THC. Cannabis with a focus of lower than 0.3 p.c delta-9 THC is outlined as authorized hemp in Tennessee—and federally. Cannabis with concentrations higher than 0.3 p.c is classed as marijuana and is prohibited to develop, promote or possess in Tennessee.
Hemp flowers additionally include THCA, a nonintoxicating acid that may be banned in Tennessee beneath this invoice. When heated or smoked, the THCA within the plant converts into delta-9 THC—an unlawful substance in Tennessee in higher than hint quantities.
Clint Palmer, a consultant of the hemp trade, advised lawmakers the invoice is just like one handed in 2023 that led to a lawsuit towards the Department of Agriculture that continues to be in litigation.
If the brand new measure passes, Palmer mentioned, hemp companies can be compelled to close down, even after spending hundreds of thousands of {dollars} complying with state laws.
“Bill sponsors have said it’s the wild west in regards to the current hemp program. This is far from the truth,” Palmer mentioned.
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The 2023 legislation put new restrictions on merchandise containing THC, he mentioned, and famous that retail shops, producers and distributors are required to be licensed or face prison fees. Palmer added that regulation is missing from the Department of Agriculture regardless of a 6 p.c tax on hemp-derived merchandise, half of which nets the division $1 million a month.
Lamberth has mentioned that buyers ought to know the substances after they purchase a hemp product. But Palmer mentioned these are listed on labels, primarily based on the 2023 legislation.
The House chief additionally indicated that the trade seems able to sue the state once more as a result of the federal Farm Act units requirements on hemp.
Palmer didn’t acknowledge whether or not a lawsuit might observe the brand new invoice’s passage, however he mentioned the Alcoholic Beverage Commission doesn’t “have a clear understanding of the hemp plant, and it’s clearly shown in this bill.”
The Senate model of the invoice, sponsored by Republican Sen. Richard Briggs of Knoxville, is to be heard subsequent by the finance committee.
Briggs mentioned final week as quickly because the merchandise are heated, they grow to be marijuana.
“We could withdraw the bill and let’s just put another bill out there that says we’re going to have recreational marijuana,” Briggs mentioned. “Let’s be perfectly honest. It’ll help the businesses, we’ll have great revenue, and everybody smoking the stuff will be a lot happier.”
This story was first published by Tennessee Lookout.
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